Kyrgyzstan: TB Behind Bars by William Daniels (21 images)

Tuberculosis remains a serious threat to public health in Kyrgyzstan, and the country's prisons are a primary breeding ground for the disease. The incidence of TB in Kyrgyz jails is about 25 times higher than in the general population, and the rate of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is one of the highest in the world.

During Soviet times, TB was relatively well controlled by the authorities. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the consequent social and...more »

Tuberculosis remains a serious threat to public health in Kyrgyzstan, and the country's prisons are a primary breeding ground for the disease. The incidence of TB in Kyrgyz jails is about 25 times higher than in the general population, and the rate of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is one of the highest in the world.

During Soviet times, TB was relatively well controlled by the authorities. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the consequent social and economic deterioration in Kyrgyzstan severely affected both the health and penitentiary systems.

Conditions in prisons are still dire today - ventilation is poor and light scarce - creating a breeding ground for the quick spread of TB. Erratic control of prescriptions in the years after independence, the unregulated sale of TB drugs in markets, and inadequate health services in both the penal system and the country in general have contributed to the development of a strong resistance to the drugs.

Around 40% of prisoners have TB, and over a third of those have the highly dangerous MDR strain. Prisoners have a high likelihood of catching the disease even if they are healthy when they arrive in jail. MDR TB requires lengthy and difficult treatment which has strong side effects. Some patients have to take up to 20 pills a day, often supplemented with vitamins and injections« less